The
awards luncheon is annual event for alumni of Leadership Niagara,
board members, speakers and sponsors to reconnect and recommit to the
organization's mission and vision.

"We
are fortunate to honor extraordinary examples of leadership in our
network," said Leadership Niagara Executive Director Molly
Anderson. "To hear their stories gives all of us something
memorable and valuable that we can apply to our lives."

In
addition to honoring these leaders, it was announced at the luncheon
that Leadership Niagara will be the recipient of a generous five-year
grant for $375,000 in support of its LYNC (youth leadership
development program) from the Irene E. Witkowski-Agrawal Foundation.
This will impact 400 young people in schools throughout Niagara
County and Grand Island.

The
Irene E. Witkowski-Agrawal Foundation, according to its founder,
Prabhakar Agrawal, is about "encouraging and teaching young people
to depend on themselves, and to succeed in their lives by being
honest."

"If
they can achieve that, they are likely to find much happiness in
their lives and contribute to society much more than the present
trend of fraud, deceit and deceptions that are so prevalent
worldwide," Agrawal said. "That is how my deceased wife would
have done it. So my foundation is to remember her for her honesty and
values."

"We
are incredibly grateful to the Irene E. Witkowski-Agrawal Foundation
for their commitment to LYNC, especially in lieu of the budget crises
being faced by many school districts," said Frank P. Mergl,
chairman of the board of directors of Leadership Niagara. "This
partnership with the Irene E. Witkowski-Agrawal Foundation lays the
groundwork for our LYNC program that will allow more young people
than ever before to develop their leadership skills."

LYNC,
an eight-month program for high school students, provides leadership
development, values and principles, as well as training in
communication, problem-solving, teamwork and diversity. It is
designed to prepare students to contribute to society and the world.

Leadership
Niagara, in its 29th year, is the longest running
community leadership program in New York. It provides practical and
in-depth graduate-level leadership development, coaching and
mentoring and discussions on regional issues and industries. The
organization's mission is to strengthen regional leadership.

More
than 1,000 youth and adults have graduated from Leadership Niagara
since 1984.